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How do skyscrapers withstand 100-mph winds? How does air circulate inside tall buildings? And what happens when you flush a toilet on the 100th floor? Those questions and more are answered by Kate Ascher in her new book exploring the inner workings of skyscrapers.

Crime might not pay, but it does deliver in the world of fiction. Author Tony D'Souza recommends three of his favorite books about illicit activities. They'll have you contemplating a life of misdeeds and malfeasance.

The system Congress set up to clean up poisonous air pollution still leaves many communities exposed to risky concentrations of benzene, formaldehyde, mercury and many other hazardous chemicals.

After 726 formal complaints, a union lockout, protests and lawsuits and settlements totaling about $20 million, residents in Ponca City no longer have daily struggles with carbon black.

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain is trying to get back on point after sexual harassment allegations against him surfaced in the media. The allegations haven't seem to hurt Cain, polls show he's still running about even with Mitt Romney.

It's hard to remember now, but MTV did once play music videos all day. A new oral history recalls that golden age, and the network's meteoric rise to the top of the music industry.

For the book A History of the World in 100 Objects, the director of the British Museum chose 100 objects from his institution's collection of thousands to tell a surprisingly comprehensive history of the world.

The baby boomer generation came into politics with a liberal challenge to the establishment, but that hasn't made it a reliably Democratic voting block. This middle-aged group is deeply dissatisfied with the economy and frustrated with the president.

U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke returns to his ancestral village in southern China for the first time since his appointment. The Chinese-American was criticized as "a fake foreign devil who can't speak Chinese." But his humble behavior — flying economy, carrying his own bag — has won him many fans.

Robert Siegel and Guy Raz read emails from listeners about Filene's Basement closing its doors and the documentary The Other F Word.